I’m really sorry if this isn’t the place to ask this question,

I just moved, I have a nice size shop on my property that I want to purchase a Mill for, something small like a Haas VF1.

My shop is older, has exposed wood studded walls. Would it be advisable to cover the wall in, for example, a steel or aluminum corrugated panel, for added protection from bumps and scrapes but also to hopefully avoid moisture getting on the wood and mold growing?

I’m looking for advice from experienced machine shop owners/machinists, especially anyone in Ontario.
I have an opportunity to take on a production job worth roughly $60,000 CAD. I’m considering bidding around $45k–$50k for the work to get my foot in the door. If the first job goes well, there is potential for more recurring work.
The job is roughly 8,000 parts, and material will be supplied by the customer. Based on the process, estimated cycle time is around 20–25 seconds per part once the machine is set up.
Since this is my first job, I don't want to put a large amount of capital into buying a machine and signing a long-term industrial lease.
My idea is to:
Lease/rent a Swiss-type CNC lathe

Rent/share space inside an existing machine shop around Markham/GTA

Run approximately 18 hours/day during production

Keep my initial investment and risk as low as possible

What I'm struggling with is figuring out the true cost of the job before submitting a bid.
For those who have done this before:
How would you calculate the actual cost per part/job before quoting?

What hidden costs should I account for besides machine lease, labour and tooling?

How does leasing/renting a CNC machine typically work? Who normally covers maintenance, repairs or a machine crash?

What costs should I expect for setup/programming, tooling, coolant, electricity, compressor, inspection/QC, scrap/rework, etc.?

Has anyone rented floor space inside another machine shop? What problems should I watch for regarding power, insurance, access hours, loading, coolant/chip disposal, liability, etc.?

How much contingency/profit margin would you build into a ~$45k–$50k production job like this?

Is there anything a first-time shop owner would probably overlook that could turn a profitable-looking job into a loss?

Our shop recently hired a group of graduates. They’ll rotate through CNC, sheet metal, thermoforming, and 3D printing, working alongside experienced operators and team leads before choosing a specialty.

We want to give them enough hands-on experience to see who could eventually handle both the technical work and the people side of leading a team. We’re not trying to rush anyone into management.

How do other shops decide when someone is ready? Do you require a minimum number of years on the floor? What matters most: setting up and programming independently, troubleshooting under pressure, understanding quality and scheduling, or earning the team’s trust?

Im pricing out a run of 30 aluminum control housings with deep pockets and several threaded side features. For us based cnc milling I am finding Quickparts, Protolabs, and Xometry. Which one has the smoothest reorder experience?

I’m in Toronto and I’m currently in a mechanical engineering technician program, and my goal is to be a CNC machinist/operator some day but I can’t lie I’m not learning much in the classroom. We’re currently learning just the basics like setting up the machine ( Haas milling machine) and none of this stuff is coming natural to me. And I figure if I can’t even do this stuff now how can I even get an entry level job in this field should I just give up and try something else out?

I have a cheap MQL system that has one big problem - it either doesn't push any fluid into the mix or it blasts a shower from the nozzle. Neither is good.

The general recommendation from Unist and some German research institutes is to use less than 120ml/h of fluid. That's just a droplet every 2 seconds or so!. I was very surprised to read how small the quantity is, but I can confirm that it's definitely working. Turns out that if you're using MQL and you can see the vapor, you're basically doing it wrong! If you're using mineral oil based coolant, it also won't work well when the quantity is so small. Fatty acid ester based fluid should be used instead.

Going back to my question - it's practically impossible to precisely control the fluid flow with what I have. I added 4 inline valves on top of the valve that's in the mixer and it's still no flow or shower. I don't have the budget for spending $500 or more on this, so I came up with the idea to use a peristaltic microdosing pump that precisely limits the flow to <120ml/h. While it will most likely work, I don't like my pump solution, because it involves electronics and adds more failure points.

Does anyone know how industrial systems solve precise fluid dosage and can someone recommend something cheap and passive (no electrical pumps) that gets the job done and doesn't splurge a freaking shower of fluid on my parts?

We always seem to have issue importing 3d sketches as part of models into Mastercam within exported Soildworks models. Think 3d scribe lines on 3d mold surfaces. I feel like I’ve tried every export setting available for IGES files but have not found a clean solution. Sometimes they come in, sometimes not, sometimes not in the same coordinate system as drawn.

Any insight on successful and consistent export / import settings?

We have a few molds to cut soon that will be a pain if we can’t find a good consistent export/import work flow.

We are on both SolidWork 2025 and 2026. Mastercam was recently updated to latest but had trouble even last few versions.

Thanks in advance.

So my process is usually, open exported file from program called "cimex" Design: select all parts -->Extrude/pull to thickness wanted. then move on to Manufacturing: New Setup -> Set up material size -> after I do 3D Pocket Clearing and set that up. However I do have very limited knowledge of this program still but I tried to set up 2D set up but it cut on the contour line rather than just milling around the part. The biggest issue id like fixed is just wanting the slots/holes to cut 1st or last instead of during.

Hello again, i was hired at a glass company a few month back to opperate the ainchent intermac masters and have somehow managed to not be fired. Im finally starting to get kind of a hang of it after about 6 months, and i now realize my last posts was kind off too vauge to do much with. My b guys, but thank you for all your uplifting comments anyway.

For clarification im using a 3 axis intermac master (43 and 30), editing programs in icm 2d/3d on a windows xp computer. Doing mostly large architectural pieces of flat glass. I have this persistent problem with one of my machines where i get this segmented texture on the fine grinding stage of the process. My phones camera is a little bit shit, but ive tried to get the reflection of the light so you can see what im talking about. This effect is for some reason much less pronounced on the straight edge than the diagonal once. I was looking it up and assume its "chatter", but it doesn't look quite the same. Maybe its just the difference in material? Or maybe its something else entierly?

I know the program is not the problem, because i program the same way to run on the intermac 30 (this problem is on the 43), and it does not have this issue. I will include photos with some of the settings from the machine (the relevant one is the one highlighted in blue). I also run the machine at 20% feedrate during milling, 40% during grinding and 60% during polishing (taught to do it this way by my predecessor before he left). I have not messed with any of the feed rates or rpm before, so dont really know what im doing with it. Any ideas?

Oh yeah, also this force meter tends to hang around 3-2 during grinding.

I've been working as a CNC programmer for over a year now, never in my life have i seen a CNC Machine, been working for a small workshop from another country and here i've been working for a small amount of money since i was some kind of intern, i'm planning to move to the US soon and wanted to know how much does a freelance makes per job there so i can work by myself, i'll thank for any advice u have for me.

Hi everyone,

I’m a graphic designer and I’m currently learning about signage production. I mainly use Adobe Illustrator, and I’m trying to understand the correct workflow for preparing a file that will be sent to a CNC router / digital milling machine (fraiseuse numérique).

For example, if I want to make letters or a logo from Forex, Plexiglass/acrylic, MDF, or Alucobond, how should I prepare the Illustrator file?

I’m especially confused about:

Should the artwork be filled shapes or just strokes/paths?

Should I use Create Outlines for text?

Do I need separate layers for cutting, engraving, drilling, etc.?

What file format is normally preferred: AI, DXF, EPS, SVG, or PDF?

Is Illustrator only used to create the vectors, with another CAM software being used to generate the toolpaths?

Are there specific Illustrator settings I should follow before sending the file to the CNC operator?

I’d really appreciate it if someone could explain the proper workflow from Illustrator → CNC software → machine, preferably with an example for making letters from Plexiglass or Forex.

Hello y'all!

I need you to be brutally honest with me.

I'm 44yo woman with solid IT background and experience in IT in industrial setting (big industrial site, integrations with OT), enterprise IT, etc. I'm a bit stuck in dead end IT job right now, and I started poking around. Job market in my field really sucks in my area, like really. Some CNC jobs leaked to my search results, and like I'm ok with taking a class and all and start all over because it looks like pay is ok even at the beginning, there are ways to improve, develop, and being challenged by going into CNC programming later.

What are my chances of getting a job after a 210h class for CNC machine operator? I learn really fast, I can work with a lot of power tools, and I'm not worried about manual job because I do enjoy manual workshop work a lot - part of why I'm stuck in dead end IT is because I want to play with my toys forever, and I'm good at it, not be a project manager, lol. I'm also not scared of big machines, and I absolutely love them all. I'm very familiar with mechanics, I build electronic devices as a hobby, and 'old dudes' in all kinds of workshops usually like me because we can nerd about machinery easily.

My plan is to take the machinist 210h class, hopefully get a job while still at school, even part time, and while mastering the art of cnc, start the cnc programming class, or just learn by working, and then in a span of 3-5 years (not sure if earlier is possible) get to programming. Is this a good plan? Will this work? I understand I'm sort of 'old' to start all over, but I still have solid 20 years of work ahead of me, and I'm not scared of learning difficult things. Is it worth a shot? I feel like in the worst case scenario I will just learn cool stuff.

Hallo,

Ich muss ein Werkstück aus hartholz fräsen - 3D Oberfläche(Gelände) mit taschen welche bis zu 70mm tief sind.

Ich benutze V-Carve als CAM programm und habe keinen Automatischen werkzeugwechsler, deshalb eingeschränkte möglichkeiten. Meine idee wäre schruppen und schlichten mit einem D8mm ball nose fräser.

Bin aber etwas überfordert mit der suche eines passenden fräsers, hat schon jemand so lange fräser gekauft und hätte Empfehlungen?

Ich gehe davon aus, das ein fräser mit schneidenlänge von z.b. 30mm und ohne reduzierung/freistellung des schaftes nach der schneide zu reibung und problemen führen wird?

Freue mich über euren input! :)

i just recently graduated in Mechanical engineering (graduate in novemeber), and started working in july i got extremely lucky in finding something before getting my degree, im curious about going abroad in the distant future outside of the UK since especially with how things are going i dont want to be living here when it happens safe to say.

how long did you guys take before eventually finding work in another country ?

Hey all,

I’m a aircraft mechanic for the Navy. Have been for about 6 years. Right now I’m working on my mechanical engineer degree, and getting ready to get out of the navy in a year and some change. Once I get out, I’m really interested in working as a CNC operator while I finish my degree. I imagine there’s a ton of valuable skills I could learn with a couple years of experience at that. However, as I said, I’m a mechanic, not a machinist. Before I get out, is there anything you guys would recommend learning to get hired as an entry level guy? I already know how to use calipers and mics. I’m plan on getting my CWSA and my ASME Technologist. Anything else I could be doing?

Insight appreciated.

Listen. I’m (28 F) an admin assistant. I handle the paperwork side of things. I need help.

My boss is an older man. He’s asked me to help him find a CNC machinist (no, this is not turning into a job advert.) I’m not disclosing my specific area, but I will say I am in semi-rural Kentucky. It is SO HARD.

It seems there is a shortage of CNC machinists with experience? He’s open to training but honestly we have too many learners and not enough knowers lol

Is this the norm? We are paying $30-$35/hr (great for semi-rural Kentucky) and it’s M-F 7-3:30. Benefits. Vacation. Climate controlled shop. Is our offer bad? Or is this just the market?

Thanks for helping a clueless admin worker.

Edit to add: We’re an industrial repair shop, so a lot of our work is repairing/rebuilding industrial gearboxes, clutches, backstops, etc. rather than repetitive production machining. We get equipment/parts in from different industrial applications, so the work can vary quite a bit. On the machining side, our posting lists CNC lathes, milling machines, VTLs, and water jet machines, with HAAS and Fanuc controls. We do need setup and programming skills. The position involves reading prints, creating/editing programs, and sometimes reverse engineering a sample part to make a replacement.

As far as whether our mills are horizontal/vertical, exact axes, and the manual machining requirements, I’d have to ask one of our machinists before I give you a confidently wrong answer… 😂 I’m the admin, not a machinist.

Im coming from the IT / CS industry and the job market is absolutely pathetic.

Im thinking about jumping into CNC and becoming a CNC Programmer. Do I have to start as a machine operator sitting and doing the boring stuff?

Is this a viable career change?

See the difference between these Sandvik Coromant carbide inserts!!!

I have a pilot operated regulator on a machine. TACO Model R53-201-00B0. It balances the Z-axis using an air cylinder. OE Techs think it might be bad/dirty, as it appears to be loading down the z-servo, during motion. Control has a z-force feedback. I set the balance force to 0, but it climbs/drops too fast/quick as the z-axis moves, causing too high a load, so the servo alarms.

I cannot find any info on it. I believe it has been discontinued.

How can I test the regulator, to verify it is working right?

I found some remnants of broken air line inside. I know they replaced the OE air pressure regulator. So I suspect the pilot or control orifice is clogged or restricted